.Congratulations! You have just bought a new car – we love that new car smell! You drive your new car out of the dealership and before you know it, its time for your first service.
The dealership sends you an email or text message reminding you to bring your car in for its first service. It often sends a reminder that only an authorise service outlet or mechanic can perform log book servicing without voiding your new car warranty.
On the other hand we see plenty of local mechanics advertising that they too can perform log book servicing and that won’t void your warranty.
So in this age old debate of dealer vs non-dealer servicing, who do you believe?
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states “a manufacturer’s warranty is a promise to the consumer that the vehicle will be free from defects for a certain period of time”. The car manufacturer can have specific requirements in its warranty, for example: that servicing must be carried out by a qualified mechanic, quality parts are used as required and that servicing is done according to the manufacturers specifications.
What the manufacturer can’t do is require you to service your car through the dealership in order to keep your warranty intact.
“Provided you service the vehicle in accordance with any such requirements, the warranty will remain valid. If the manufacturer’s warranty states that the vehicle can only be serviced by an authorised dealer, this may raise concerns under the Competition and Consumer Act,” the ACCC has said in written guidance to the automotive industry.
Queensland Fair Trading also states that a buyer has freedom of choice to deal with whomever they choose buy sildenafil. It states “To keep your motor vehicle in top condition and to avoid the possibility of breakdown or expensive repairs in the future, you should follow the maintenance schedule. If the vehicle is still under warranty and you don’t have it serviced to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, you may void your warranty. As long as the service is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, any licensed repairer can do it, not just the dealer from whom you purchased the vehicle.”
So if you have a local mechanic you’ve been using for years, or want to support a local business, feel free to take your bright and shiny new car to them for your scheduled servicing – your warranty can’t be voided for this!
If you are in Everton Hills you can book a service online or call us at (07) 3353 6939.